Container in combination with a removable cap

ABSTRACT

A container (1) for a lubricant has a cap (2) for sealing off one end (4) of a cylindrical tube (2). The cap (2) shows a bottom (19), from the periphery of which extends in an axial direction a circumferential interior ring part (17), which faces the inside of said tube end (4). The cap (3) rests, with a radially extended ring part (16) connected to said interior ring part (17), upon a radial end surface of said tube end (4). According to the invention, the latter end shows a circumferential flange edge pointed obliquely inwardly towards the central part of the tube (2) and being intended to act upon an exterior circumferential bulge (24) on the outside of cap wall (17). For optimal insertion into the tube (2) and passing said edge (18), said bulge (24) downwardly forms a longer bevel (24) with a minor style in relation to said wall (17), while for optimal locking, said bulge (24) is upwardly more acutely rounded close to said lateral wall (17).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container with at least one closuremeans according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention is particularly concerned with lubricant cartridges andcaps for sealing same.

Today, consciousness towards the environment is greater than in the pastand containers must fulfill high safety demands, particularly forsubstances which are detrimental to the environment.

Nevertheless, such containers should be simple and easy to produce atlow costs and their handling should also be easy and simple, both as tofilling, preferably fully automatic sealing as well as repeated sealingat great and maintained safety, even after repeated opening and closingoperations. The closure means should even be able to resist outer andinterior strain up to a certain level, so that leakage may be avoidedwith comparatively great security. Furthermore, the contents of such acontainer must be fed out in a simple and reliable way.

The previously known containers and their closure means do not fulfillthese demands, at least not in combination.

Caps which are previously known in this technical field, serve assealing means for a cartridge or the like between its filling and use.When using the cartridge, the cap is normally removed and thrown awayand has, therefore no further function to fulfill.

Beyond this limited function, previously known caps suffer often fromthe drawback, that they do not seal the container sufficiently safely.Leakage may thus occur easily and frequently and often a full containerand maybe even adjacent containers, the contents of which has leakedout, are thrown away, as it can be rather unpleasant to get hands,clothes etc polluted.

Apart from possible leakage, the previously known caps are neverthelesshard to remove, particularly caps which are not designed as screwcaps.If the caps are designed as screwcaps, i.a. increased material thicknessis required as well as extra means to provide the cap with interiorthreads and furthermore extra means to provide the one cartridge endwith outer threads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One objective of the present invention is therefore to provide anadvantageous container with at least one likewise advantageous closuremeans which, avoiding or counteracting the above-mentioned drawbacks,fulfills the above-mentioned demands in combination.

Another objective of the invention is to improve previously knowncontainers and their closure means in various respects, particularly asto facilitating application of caps, guarantee the applied position ofthe caps in spite of considerable outer and/or interior strain, such aspressure, and to make possible a fast, easy and simple removal of saidcaps when so desired.

Furthermore, there should be material saving and great safety againstundesired separation. Furthermore, there should be a positive effect onboth separability and subsequent guiding, control and sealing, and thecontainer as such should be designed to further such properties in afar- reaching way, whereby e.g. tolerances, shrinking etc shall becontrolled.

These objectives are achieved according to the invention by a containerand at least one closure means, respectively, of the initially describedkind.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics of and advantages with the invention arerevealed by the following detailed specification with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which in a partly schematic way show preferredembodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diametrical axial sectional view of a first embodiment of acontainer according to the invention consisting of circular cylindrictube and two caps sealing same,

FIG. 2 is a partial diametrical axial sectional view of a secondembodiment of a closure means according to the invention similar to theone of FIG. 1 but with a modified cap,

FIG. 3 is a partial diametrical axial sectional view of a circularcylindrical tube according to the invention sealed at the one end by acap similar to the one shown in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a magnified cross-sectional view of the upper end of acontainer as shown in FIG. 7 and a cap as shown in FIG. 21,

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the container shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the tube shown in FIGS. 1 and 5,

FIG. 7 is a diametrical axial sectional view of a tube shown in FIGS. 1,5 and 6,

FIG. 8 is a magnified sectional view of the one end profile of a tubeaccording to FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view similar to the one of FIG. 5 of amodified embodiment,

FIG. 10 is a diametrical axial sectional view of a container accordingto FIG. 9,

FIGS. 11-13 show the cap according to FIG. 14 seen from below, from theside and in a perspective view from above, and

FIGS. 14-17 show the spout cap of FIG. 10 seen from below, from theside, from above and in a perspective from above.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A container according to the invention is designated in its entiretyby 1. This container comprises a preferably circular cylindric tube 2,which preferably is made of plastic material by injection molding. Theother part of the container, which is optional, is a cap 3, which is atleast partially matching in shape. The tube is preferably made ofpolyethylene HD 7028 and the cap of polyethylene LD+HD.

Characterizing for the tube 2 may be a flange 5, which preferablysurrounds the one tube end 4. In accordance with a preferred embodiment,this flange extends radially both inwardly and outwardly from therespective cylindrical surfaces 7 and 8 of the tube wall 6 to form aninterior flange 9 and an exterior flange 10.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the interior flange 9projects longer from the adjacent cylindrical surface 7 than the outerflange 10 does from its adjacent surface 9. Typically, the interiorflange may project 1-3 mm, preferably app. 2 mm, while the exteriorflange may project 0.5-2.5 mm, preferably app. 1 mm. This makes theinterior flange creating a greater retaining force in relation to thecap 3 than the exterior flange. In this way, a cap attached to the tubemay resist comparatively great strain, particularly such strain whicharises when the contents of the container is subjected to squeezingpropagating a pressure on the cap from the inside, e.g. when a tubefalls down or is harshly grasped. At the same time, it is neverthelessrelatively easy to remove the cap e.g. temporarily, as for this the freeexterior edge of the cap outside the tube is grasped and heeled over andaway from tube end 4 with the radially shorter exterior flange offeringless resistance.

The interior flange 9 and the exterior flange 10 do suitably share acommon upper delimitation surface 11 forming the free axial end surfaceof tube end 4.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the interior flange 9 isshorter in axial direction than the exterior flange 10. Typically, theinterior flange can be 1-3, preferably approximately 2 mm long, whilethe exterior flange can measure 2-4, preferably approximately 2.5 mm inaxial direction, whereby an interior sealing surface 12 and an exteriorsealing surface 14 are formed, which preferably are situated withincylindrical, mutually coaxial surfaces. While the exterior flange 10 isterminated at its axial end which is turned away from surface 11 by ashoulder 15, which is preferably situated within a radial plane, theinterior flange is terminated within a corresponding region preferablyas an undercut surface 13, which may be straight or concave to form apointed annular edge 18, the purpose of which is to exert an extrasealing effect in relation to cap 3. The angle included between surfaces12 and 13 amounts to 30°-85°, preferably approximately 70°. Even anotherangle than 90° between surfaces 11 and 12 is conceivable, namely alarger angle than 90°, e.g. 90°-130°, preferably app. 110°. It is alsopossible to provide at the outer part of surface 12 a bevel or curve tofacilitate pushing of a cap onto the tube.

The cap 3 itself is partially matching the shape of tube end 4 as shownand described. Accordingly, the cap shows situated within a radialplane, a ring part 16, which inwardly connects to a circular cylindricring part 17, which is closed by a bottom 19, which preferably isslightly concave seen from outside. These three parts 16, 17 and 19 showe.g. app. same material thickness, e.g. app. 1 mm. Outwardly, ring part16 connects to an outer circular cylindric ring part 20, which isequally long as or somewhat longer in axial direction than the interiorring part 17, measured from ring part 16.

Parts 16, 17 and 20 define an annular groove 21 for receiving andarresting tube end 4. To this purpose, parts 17 and 20 are provided withcircumferential shoulders, bulges or the like 24 and 28, respectively,which are facing each other but are offset somewhat in axial directionin relation to one another corresponding to the previously described andshown difference in axial extension between interior and exteriorflange. With a cap firmly applied, said shoulders, bulges or the like 24and 28 are provided directly below surfaces 13 and 15, so that the capmay not be removed without considerable stretching away from tube end 4.

The free axial half 27 of ring part 20 may optionally be bent outwardlysomewhat or provided with a circumferential interior bevel 29 forfacilitating pushing the cap onto the tube end. For the same purpose,that half of ring part 17, which connects to bottom 19, may be providedwith a bevel 25.

As the outer ring part 20 does not have to develop similar resistanceproperties as to unintended release of the cap and the cap furthermoreto a certain extent should be removable intentionally, this ring part issuitably shaped somewhat thinner, e.g. 0.7 mm thick, while the other twoparts and even the bottom may be shaped app. 1 mm thick, all inaccordance with one non-limiting embodiment.

Beyond the effects described hereinbefore, the closure means accordingto the invention is characterized by following properties. In the normalsealed position according to FIG. 1, excellent sealing is achievedaround the entire periphery of both inside, endside and outside of thetube. If so desired, ring groove 21 may be furnished with a sealingagent, e.g. silicon, in connection with the filling and sealing of thetube at a factory. In this way, extra great safety against leakageduring handling onward to the user is achieved.

If a filled tube sealed by a cap as described and shown is exposed tointerior pressure for a reason as described before, such pressure willaffect primarily the cap bottom, which is pushed upwards to attain amore flat shape, whereby ring part 17 is pressed against or towards thetube wall within the connecting region between this part and the bottomand will increase the sealing pressure of the shoulder, bulge or thelike 24 against and around ring edge 18. The pointed shape of the latterguarantees in a far-reaching way, that the cap may not be released atminor or medium size pressures from the inside.

When applying pressure from the outside on e.g. the cap bottom in axialdirection, parts 16 and 20 and particularly the shoulder, bulge or thelike 28 will resist such pressures to a practically unlimited extent.The shoulder, bulge or the like 28 functions here as some kind ofheeling stop, which prevents in combination with shoulder 15, that theperipheral channel part of the cap may "glide" inwardly around tube end4.

On the other hand, if it is desired to remove the cap, possibly onlytemporarily, this may be achieved comparatively simply and easily bygrasping from outside the cap part 27 at any place and pulling andbending that place upwardly in FIG. 2, so that the shoulder, bulge orthe like 28 may pass beyond shoulder 15. This is facilitated by shapingring part 20 somewhat thinner in combination with manufacturing the capin general of flexible plastic material and/or of material which is lessflexible per se but flexible due to material thickness chosen. Atcontinued pulling away of the cap, the shoulder, bulge or the like 24glides along and eventually beyond ring edge 18, until the cap isentirely removed.

If desired to seal the tube again, the cap is attached loosely to tubeend 4 and is then pushed until the shoulders or bulges of the cap haveglided past the shoulders of the tube end, with elastically deformingthe cap parts concerned and eventually have snapped behind the tubeshoulders or bulges and arrest the cap in this position.

As can be seen, the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 differs fromthe one shown in FIG. 3 only in that the shoulders 24 and 28 have beenreplaced by bulges and by shaping the bevels 25 and 29 in a more reducedway.

FIGS. 3 shows an at least principally preferred embodiment of a tubeaccording to the invention provided with two different closure means,one at each end. The one cap and the one tube end are suitablyidentically with or similar to the upper part of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, whilethe other closure means differs there from and is designated in itsentirety by 30. The latter means comprises a cap 31 having a preferablyflat bottom 32 which substantially fills the interior of the tube.Outside of said tube end, cap 31 shows an exterior collar 40 abuttingsaid tube end from the outside and showing, app. in the middle of itsaxial extent, an annular bulge abutting said tube end and being providedto grasp around and beyond an annular bulge 43 at this tube end, whichlatter bulge in its turn forms an annular groove 51 on the inside of thetube, into which interior groove the interior collar 36 is inserted witha circumferential bulge. The free end part of the exterior collar 40 maybe bent somewhat outwardly and/or form an interior bevel forfacilitating pushing of the cap onto this tube end.

The spout 44 according to FIGS. 1, 5, 9, 10 and 15-17 may be anoutwardly conically converging pipe having an annular bulge 45 at itsfree end, which bulge is intended to be surrounded by a small cap 46with a bottom 47 and a sleeve wall 48, on the inside of which there isan interior annular bulge 49. The spout is preferably integrated withthe cap according to FIGS. 2, 3, 9, 10 or 14-17.

The cap 3 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 by way of two different embodiments isshown, in FIGS. 9 and 10, in a third, preferred embodiment. The ringpart or flange 16 of cap 3 does preferably not project radially beyondtube flange 10 but terminates somewhat before reaching the latter'souter edge.

FIGS. 12 and 15 reveal clearly, how the bulge 24 projects from thelateral wall of the cap. Beyond the bulge, the cap begins two inclineobliquely inwardly for connecting to a bowl-like bottom 19. Within theregion for such a cap, tube 2 is either shaped to follow the outside ofthe cap corresponding to the shape of tube end 50 or is shaped as shownin FIGS. 10 and 14. This shape prevents the contents of the cartridgefrom being spilt and keeps the cap securely fixed. The attachment of thecap is facilitated and its unintended removal is counteracted in thatthe bulge downwardly forms a longer bevel with a minor angle, e.g.30°-45°, in relation to lateral wall 17, while the remainder upwardly isrounded at a minor radius with an angle of e.g. 45°-90° close to thesidewall.

FIG. 13 shows the cap seen obliquely from above disclosing an almosttriangular gripping handle 52, which is intended to facilitate removalof the cap. The gripping handle is shaped in one piece with the cap andis connected to a spot-like region uppermost at sidewall 17 via a smalltongue 53 forming a transition into the upper inside of the flange ofthe cap. The wide upper flange prevents the cap from being pushed intothe tube. The cap is preferably manufactured as one homogeneous piece,e.g. by injection molding, preferably of PVC.

A combination of FIGS. 13 and 4 makes obvious that, when pulling thehandle 52 thanks to the latter's position within the upper cavity 54 ofthe cap and the spotlike connection to side wall 17, the applied pullingforce will have a direction substantially in line with the upper curvingof bulge 23. Consequently, an initial spot-like removal of the bulge andof the cap from the interior groove 51 of the tube are facilitated,which spot-like "cracking" of the connection cap/tube then will continuefast along the entire interior groove, until the cap is totally removed.If the cap is provided with a spout, a handle is preferably omitted.

A cap 3 is, however, suitably provided at a container end according toFIGS. 2, 3 or preferably uppermost in FIGS. 1, 6, 7 and 8 where, like inFIG. 4, the profile of this tube end is shown clearly. This profileshows parts 6-15 and 18 similar to corresponding parts in FIGS. 2 and 3.The extension of interior flange 9 inwardly may, however, be less, whilethe undercut surface 13 may be more vigorously shaped by an acute angleof e.g. app. 30° in relation to a radial plane.

The ring edge 18 is shaped as a pointed lip, which projects obliquelydownwardly and inwardly from surface 12 and includes with its upper side55 an angle of 100°-160°, preferably app. 140°, while the radial lengthfrom surface 12 in a practical example may be 0.5-5 mm, preferably app.1 mm. FIG. 4 shows clearly, how lip 18 with its edge enters into theangled region between wall 17 and bulge 24 of the cap. The lip, which isflexible at least thanks to its shape, will thereby easily followcertain deviations and movements and accordingly will easily compensatefor e.g. material shrinking, even in combination with the cap. The lipcontributes even to pressing and keeping the cap in place and increasesthe efficiency of such a sealing arrangement both at arising interiorpressures with expansion of the cap bottom in accordance with previousdescription and initially, when removing the cap, by elasticallyfollowing all movements. The lip enters even thanks to its pointed shapesomewhat into the cap material and increases the sealing effect evenmore. By showing a bevel 56 uppermost in the transitional region betweensurfaces 5 and 12, the profile facilitates insertion of particularly acap 3, particularly in combination with a cap bottom bevel 25.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and describedhereinbefore, which may be modified and completed within the frameworkof the inventive idea and following claims.

We claim:
 1. A container (1) in combination with a cap (3) for sealingoff at least one end (4) of the container containing at least one of aviscous substance, a paste-like substance, a lubricant, silicon, and afood substance comprising:a container (1) comprising a generallycylindrical tube (2) having a radially extending end flange (5) on afirst end (4) thereof, the end flange (5) extending radially inwardlyfrom an interior cylindrical surface (7) of the tube (2), forming aninterior flange (9) having a radially extending delimitation surface(11) defining a free radially extending end surface of said first tubeend (4); a cap (3) comprising a bottom (19) located in the first tubeend (4); and an interior ring part (17) extending substantially axiallyfrom an outer periphery of the bottom (19) terminating in a radiallyoutwardly extending annular ring part (16) that abuts against the endsurface of the first tube end (4); wherein a side of the interior flange(9) facing a second end of the tube, remote from the first tube end (4),is terminated by an undercut surface (13) that is one of straight andconcave to form a pointed annular edge (18) on the radially inner edgeof the interior flange (9) facing the second tube end to create anenhanced sealing effect between the tube (2) and the cap (3).
 2. Acontainer and cap combination according to claim 1, wherein the endflange (5) extends radially outwardly from an exterior cylindricalsurface (8) of a tube wall (6) to form an exterior flange (10).
 3. Acontainer and cap combination according to claim 2, wherein the interiorflange (9) and the exterior flange (10) have a common upper delimitationsurface (11) forming a free radially extending end surface of the firsttube end (4).
 4. A container and cap combination according to claim 2,wherein an axial end of the exterior flange (10), remote from saiddelimitation surface (11) terminates in a radially extending shoulder(15).
 5. A container and cap combination according to claim 1, whereinthe bottom of the cap (3) is a flexible bowl-like bottom (19), theconvex side of which faces the interior of the tube (2) such that uponat least one of an increased interior pressure and a decreased exteriorpressure the bowl-like bottom (19) assumes a flatter shape with acorresponding circumferential expansion of said interior ring part (17)which increases the sealing effect between the cap (3) and the tube (2).6. A container and cap combination according to claim 1, wherein theundercut surface (13) and an adjoining inner peripheral surface (12) ofthe interior flange (9) form an angle from about 30° to about 85°.
 7. Acontainer and cap combination according to claim 1, wherein the undercutsurface (13) and an adjoining inner peripheral surface (12) of theinterior flange (9) form an angle of about 70°.
 8. A container and capcombination according to claim 1, wherein the undercut surface (13) andan adjoining inner peripheral surface (12) of the interior flange (9)form an angle other than 90°.
 9. A container and cap combinationaccording to claim 8, wherein the undercut surface (13) and an adjoininginner peripheral surface (12) of the interior flange (9) form an anglefrom about 95° to about 130°.
 10. A container and cap combinationaccording to claim 1, wherein the undercut surface (13) and an adjoininginner peripheral surface (12) of the interior flange (9) form an angleof about 110°.
 11. A container and cap combination according to claim 1,wherein an inner peripheral edge of the first tube end (4), between saiddelimitation surface (11) and an inner peripheral surface (12) of theinterior flange (9), is beveled (56) to facilitate insertion of the cap(3) into the first tube end (4).
 12. A container and cap combinationaccording to claim 1, wherein the pointed annular edge (18) is shaped asa pointed lip (13, 18, 55) that projects obliquely axially toward thesecond tube end and radially inwardly from the interior flange (9), aradially inner side (55) of the pointed lip and an inner peripheralsurface (12) of the interior flange (9) form an included angle of fromabout 100° to about 160°, the radial length of the pointed lip, measuredfrom the inner peripheral surface (12) of the interior flange (9), isfrom about 0.05 to about 5 mm, and the pointed lip is flexible to followany deviations and movements, whereby the pointed lip, due to itspointed shape, partially enters the material of the cap, providing anenhanced sealing effect between the cap and the tube.
 13. A containerand cap combination according to claim 12, wherein said radially innerside (55) of the pointed lip and said inner peripheral surface (12) ofthe interior flange (9) form an included angle of about 140°.
 14. Acontainer and cap combination according to claim 2, wherein the cap (3)is designed shape-complementary with said tube end (4), the interiorring part (17) is substantially cylindrical and the bottom (19), whenviewed from outside, is slightly concave, an exterior ring part (20)extends axially from an outer peripheral edge of the annular ring part(16) toward the second tube end, the annular ring part (16) and theexterior ring part (20) define an annular groove (21) facing the secondtube end, the first tube end (4) being received in the annular groove(21), a circumferential bulge (24) extends from the outer peripheralsurface of the interior ring part (17) into the annular groove (21) anda circumferential protrusion (28) extends from the inner peripheralsurface of the exterior ring part (20) into the annular groove (21),such that the bulge (24) and the protrusion (28) engage a side of thepointed annular edge (18) and the exterior flange (10), respectively, toarrest the first tube end (4) in the annular groove (21), the free axialhalf (27) of the annular part (20) is one of somewhat bent outwardly andprovided with a circumferential interior bevel (29) to facilitateinsertion of the cap (3) into the first tube end (4).
 15. A containerand cap combination according to claim 2, wherein the interior flange(9) projects inwardly from the interior cylindrical surface (7) fartherthan the exterior flange (10) extends outwardly from the exteriorcylindrical surface (8), whereby said cap (3) is retained by theinterior flange (9) with greater force than by the exterior flange (10).16. A container and cap combination according to claim 1, wherein aportion of the interior ring part (17) adjacent the bottom (19) isprovided with a bevel (25) to facilitate insertion of the cap (3) intothe first tube end (4).
 17. A container and cap combination according toclaim 14, wherein the bulge (24) projects from the outer peripheralsurface of the interior ring part (17), and the outer peripheral surfaceof the interior ring part (17) is obliquely inclined radially inwardlyfrom the bulge (24) toward the bottom (19) forming a bevel (25) tofacilitate insertion of the cap (3) into the first tube end (4).
 18. Acontainer and cap combination according to claim 14, wherein a side ofthe bulge (24) facing the second tube end is bevelled (25), forming anangle from about 30° to about 45° in relation to the outer peripheralsurface of the interior ring part (17), while a side of the bulge (24)facing the first tube end (4) is more acutely rounded forming an angleof from about 45° to about 90° in relation to the outer peripheralsurface of the interior ring part (17).
 19. A container and capcombination according to claim 1, wherein the interior ring part (17)and the bottom (19) define a recessed cavity (54) in a side of the cap(3) remote from the second tube end, and a triangular gripping handle(52), designed as a single unitary piece with the cap (3), is located inthe recessed cavity (54) and is connected to an axially outermostportion of the inner peripheral surface of the interior ring part (17)via a small tongue (53).
 20. A container and cap combination accordingto claim 1, wherein the bottom (19) is provided with a spout (44) thatconverges conically outwardly, an external annular bulge (45)surrounding a free end of the spout (44), a small cap (46) with a bottom(47), a cylindrical sleeve wall (48) extending from the outer peripheryof the bottom (47), and an interior circumferential bulge (49) on theinner peripheral surface of the sleeve wall (48) that is sized andshaped to snap over the external annular bulge (45) on the spout (44) inan interference fit for mounting the small cap (46) to the free end ofthe spout (44) and sealing the spout (44).